Market overview
The global water infrastructure market is worth USD 551 bn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 969 bn by 2036, growing at a 5.8% CAGR. China is the largest country market and Water supply networks and pipes is the largest by asset segment.
| Scope | Capital spending on building, upgrading and replacing water supply networks, treatment plants, desalination, wastewater collection and storm drainage assets. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Services and Utilities |
| Value 2025 | USD 520 bn |
| Value 2026 | USD 551 bn |
| Value 2036 | USD 969 bn |
| CAGR 2026-2036 | 5.8% |
| Volume 2026 | 98.7 thousand projects |
| Volume 2036 | 142 thousand projects |
| Average price 2026 | USD 5,583,000 per project |
| Report price | Starts from USD 1,999 |
| Published | November 2026 |
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Water Infrastructure market size and forecast, 2026-2036
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Year | Market value |
|---|---|
| 2026 | USD 551 bn |
| 2027 | USD 583 bn |
| 2028 | USD 617 bn |
| 2029 | USD 653 bn |
| 2030 | USD 691 bn |
| 2031 | USD 731 bn |
| 2032 | USD 773 bn |
| 2033 | USD 818 bn |
| 2034 | USD 865 bn |
| 2035 | USD 916 bn |
| 2036 | USD 969 bn |
Water Infrastructure market segmentation
By asset
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water supply networks and pipes | 34.0% | 32.1% | USD 187 bn | 5.2% |
| Water and wastewater treatment plants | 30.0% | 29.7% | USD 165 bn | 5.7% |
| Wastewater collection | 18.0% | 17.0% | USD 99.2 bn | 5.2% |
| Desalination and reuse | 8.0% | 10.9% | USD 44.1 bn | 9.2% |
| Storage, pumping and smart water | 10.0% | 10.4% | USD 55.1 bn | 6.2% |
By owner
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Municipal utilities | 62.0% | 59.3% | USD 342 bn | 5.3% |
| Industrial users | 23.0% | 24.2% | USD 127 bn | 6.3% |
| Private operators and PPPs | 15.0% | 16.5% | USD 82.7 bn | 6.8% |
By project type
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New build | 42.0% | 40.0% | USD 232 bn | 5.3% |
| Rehabilitation and replacement | 38.0% | 39.0% | USD 209 bn | 6.1% |
| Capacity upgrade | 20.0% | 21.0% | USD 110 bn | 6.3% |
By funding source
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Utility tariff revenue | 38.0% | 36.0% | USD 209 bn | 5.2% |
| Government funding | 34.0% | 34.0% | USD 187 bn | 5.8% |
| Private and PPP capital | 16.0% | 20.0% | USD 88.2 bn | 8.2% |
| Development finance and grants | 12.0% | 10.0% | USD 66.1 bn | 3.9% |
By contract delivery
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Design-bid-build | 46.0% | 40.0% | USD 254 bn | 4.3% |
| Design-build | 30.0% | 32.0% | USD 165 bn | 6.5% |
| Design-build-operate and PPP | 24.0% | 28.0% | USD 132 bn | 7.4% |
Top 25 countries for water infrastructure by revenue
Countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales in the country, not by where the product is made. The ten largest hold 74.2% of 2026 revenue and the 25 countries below together hold 92.8%.
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| # | Country | Value 2026 | Share 2026 | Value 2036 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | USD 143 bn | 26.0% | USD 252 bn | 5.8% |
| 2 | United States | USD 88.2 bn | 16.0% | USD 141 bn | 4.8% |
| 3 | India | USD 44.1 bn | 8.0% | USD 112 bn | 9.8% |
| 4 | Japan | USD 27.6 bn | 5.0% | USD 34.9 bn | 2.4% |
| 5 | Saudi Arabia | USD 22.0 bn | 4.0% | USD 46.5 bn | 7.8% |
| 6 | Germany | USD 19.8 bn | 3.6% | USD 29.1 bn | 3.9% |
| 7 | United Kingdom | USD 18.7 bn | 3.4% | USD 30.0 bn | 4.8% |
| 8 | Brazil | USD 16.5 bn | 3.0% | USD 33.9 bn | 7.4% |
| 9 | France | USD 15.4 bn | 2.8% | USD 22.3 bn | 3.7% |
| 10 | Australia | USD 13.2 bn | 2.4% | USD 21.3 bn | 4.9% |
| 11 | Canada | USD 12.2 bn | 2.2% | USD 20.1 bn | 5.1% |
| 12 | Mexico | USD 11.1 bn | 2.0% | USD 18.2 bn | 5.1% |
| 13 | South Korea | USD 10.1 bn | 1.8% | USD 16.6 bn | 5.1% |
| 14 | Italy | USD 9.1 bn | 1.7% | USD 15.1 bn | 5.1% |
| 15 | Spain | USD 8.3 bn | 1.5% | USD 13.8 bn | 5.2% |
| 16 | Egypt | USD 7.6 bn | 1.4% | USD 15.6 bn | 7.4% |
| 17 | Indonesia | USD 6.9 bn | 1.2% | USD 14.2 bn | 7.5% |
| 18 | Turkey | USD 6.3 bn | 1.1% | USD 10.4 bn | 5.1% |
| 19 | Russia | USD 5.7 bn | 1.0% | USD 9.4 bn | 5.1% |
| 20 | United Arab Emirates | USD 5.2 bn | 0.9% | USD 8.6 bn | 5.1% |
| 21 | Netherlands | USD 4.7 bn | 0.9% | USD 7.8 bn | 5.2% |
| 22 | South Africa | USD 4.3 bn | 0.8% | USD 7.1 bn | 5.1% |
| 23 | Nigeria | USD 3.9 bn | 0.7% | USD 8.0 bn | 7.5% |
| 24 | Pakistan | USD 3.6 bn | 0.7% | USD 7.4 bn | 7.5% |
| 25 | Vietnam | USD 3.3 bn | 0.6% | USD 6.7 bn | 7.5% |
| Rest of world | USD 39.9 bn | 7.2% | USD 66.2 bn | 5.2% |
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
Competitive landscape
Group 1: Global leaders
- Veolia
- Xylem
- Jacobs
- AECOM
- Black & Veatch
- China State Construction Engineering
- Bechtel
- AtkinsRealis
Group 2: Regional and specialist players
- Suez
- Acciona
- Aqualia
- WSP
- Stantec
- Mott MacDonald
- Mueller Water Products
- Saint-Gobain
- Kurita Water Industries
- Pentair
Group 3: Emerging and niche players
- Hitachi Zosen
- VA Tech Wabag
- Metito
- Aquatech
- Advanced Drainage Systems
Research methodology
Every figure on this page comes from the research framework that we apply to all of the markets we cover. The 2025 base for the water infrastructure market is built from the volume sold and the price that buyers pay, and is cross-checked against the size of the wider industry the market belongs to. Where a market can be sized in more than one way, the routes are compared before a figure is set.
The forecast runs year by year from the 2025 base to 2036. Growth in each year reflects demand from the industries that buy the product, adoption of new technology, pricing, regulation and replacement cycles. Volume and price are modelled together, so revenue in each year equals volume multiplied by average price. The 2026 to 2036 compound annual growth rate of 5.8% is calculated from the resulting values.
The market is divided by asset, by owner, by project type, by funding source, by contract delivery. The 25 largest countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales to buyers in each country, not by where the product is made. Segment values and country values add up to the market total in every year, and every report is checked for consistency before it is published.
Companies are placed in three groups: global leaders, regional and specialist players, and emerging and niche players. The groups describe how companies compete in the market. They are not a ranking and they are not market shares.
Our analysts also carry out primary research. Customized reports add interviews with key opinion leaders, such as senior executives, technical specialists and buyers, to test the assumptions behind the numbers for the question being asked.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the water infrastructure market?
The global water infrastructure market is estimated at USD 520 bn in 2025 and USD 551 bn in 2026.
How fast will the water infrastructure market grow?
It is forecast to reach USD 969 bn by 2036, a compound annual growth rate of 5.8% from 2026, an increase of USD 417 bn.
Which country is the largest market for water infrastructure?
China is the largest market by revenue at USD 143 bn in 2026, 26.0% of the global total. The three largest countries together hold 50.0%.
Which country is growing fastest?
Among the ten largest markets, India is growing fastest at 9.8% a year from 2026 to 2036.
Which water infrastructure segment is largest?
In the by asset split, Water supply networks and pipes is the largest segment with 34.0% of 2026 revenue.
Who are the leading water infrastructure companies?
Global leaders include Veolia, Xylem, Jacobs, AECOM.
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